Zambia: fear for safety / prisoners of conscience
Fred M'membe, editor on chief on The Post, Bright Mwape, managing editor of The Post: there is concern that the above may be abducted from prison by state security agents and tortured. In addition to this possible threat to their safety, appalling prison conditions in Zambia pose a threat to the health and lives of inmates such as Fred M'membe and Bright Mwape.
EXTERNAL AI Index: AFR 63/02/96
UA 76/96 Fear for safety / Prisoners of conscience 19 March 1996
ZAMBIAFred M'membe, editor in chief of The Post
Bright Mwape, managing editor of The Post
Lawyers for Fred M'membe, editor in chief of The Post, and Bright Mwape, managing
editor of The Post, say they have a well-founded fear that the two journalists
may be abducted from prison by state security agents and tortured. M'membe
is currently being held at Lusaka Central Prison in Lusaka, while Mwape is
being held at Mpima Prison in Kabwe. Both are prisoners of conscience being
held solely for the peaceful expression of their criticism of the Zambian
government in their newspaper articles.
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Fred M'membe and Bright
Mwape, given last year's admission by the government's own commission of inquiry
that torture remains a widespread practice by police in Zambia. The lawyers
for Fred M'membe and Bright Mwape allege that reliable information from
government insiders indicates that special branch agents have been discussing
a plan to abduct one or both of the journalists to interrogate them regarding
the sources for investigative articles critical to the government.
In addition to that possible threat to their safety, appalling prison conditions
in Zambia pose a threat to the health and lives of inmates such as Fred M'membe
and Bright Mwape. Prisoners in Zambia are often severely malnourished and are
exposed to tuberculosis, scabies and dysentery.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Both Fred M'membe and Bright Mwape are being held in indefinite detention as
prisoners of conscience until they formally plead for forgiveness from the
Zambian National Assembly, after they were found guilty of "contempt of
parliament" in a 20 February 1996 ruling by Speaker of the Assembly Dr Robinson
Nabulyato. Amnesty International believes Fred M'membe and Bright Mwape to
be prisoners of conscience, solely imprisoned for peacefully expressing in
newspaper articles their criticism of remarks made by Vice President Godfrey
Miyanda in parliament in January 1996.
Over the past few years, the government has made a series of arrests and charges
against Fred M'membe and other staff at The Post, which fit into a pattern
of misuse of criminal charges in an attempt to intimidate the independent press
in Zambia and suppress criticism of government officials and policies.
Amnesty International has received reports of Zambian police beating suspects
during interrogation or arrest. In 1993, when government opponents were
detained under a state of emergency declared by President Frederick Chiluba
on the grounds that a coup plot had been uncovered, three detainees alleged
that they were tortured. In particular, opposition figure Cuthbert N'guni
alleged that he was taken out of prison and beaten by state security agents.
In response to such allegations, the government launched a Human Rights
Commission, headed by lawyer Bruce Munyama, to investigate torture and
ill-treatment of prisoners.
Conditions in Zambian prisons are notoriously poor. According to official
statistics, prisons designed to hold 6,500 prisoners now hold over 12,000.
This severe overcrowding, combined with poor sanitation, inadequate medical
facilities, meagre food supplies, and lack of potable water resulted in serious
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outbreaks of dysentery and other diseases. The Human Rights Commission found
prisoners being denied basic necessities such as soap and clothing, being fed
food unfit for human consumption and being denied medical treatment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/airmail letters in English
or your own language:
- calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Fred M'membe and Bright
Mwape, whom Amnesty International believes are prisoners of conscience
imprisoned solely for expressing critical opinions of the government;
- expressing concern about reports of the threats to the physical safety of
Fred M'membe and Bright Mwape, and asking for assurances that they will not
be subjected to any form of ill-treatment while in custody.
APPEALS TO:
1) President
His Excellency Frederick Chiluba
President of the Republic of Zambia
State House
Independence Avenue
PO Box 30208
Lusaka, Zambia
Faxes: +260-1 221939
E-mail: state@zamnet.zm
Telegrams: President Chiluba, Lusaka, Zambia
Salutation: Your Excellency
2) Vice President
Hon. Brig. Gen. G. Miyanda
Vice President and Leader of the National Assembly
State House
PO Box 30208
Lusaka, Zambia
Faxes: +260 1 221939
E-mail: state@zamnet.zm
Telegrams: Vice President, Lusaka, Zambia
Salutation: Dear Vice President
3) Head of Zambian prisons
Mr Elijah CHIMFUMPA
Commissioner of Prisons
Prison Service Headquarters
PO Box 30133
Lusaka, Zambia
Faxes: +260-1 235222 (mark for attention of Prison Service Headquarters)
Telegrams: Head of Prisons, Prison Service HQ, Lusaka, Zambia
Salutation: Dear Mr Chimfumba
4) Speaker of National Assembly
Dr Robinson Nabulyato
National Assembly of Zambia
PO Box 31299
Lusaka, Zambia
Faxes: +260 1 292252
Telegrams: Speaker Nabulyato, National Assembly, Lusaka, Zambia
Salutation: Dear Dr Nabulyato
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COPIES TO:
Sakwiba Sikota
President
Law Association of Zambia
P.O. Box 35271
Lusaka, Zambia
Faxes: +260-1 223383/228497
E-mail: zamlaw@zamnet.zm
and to diplomatic representatives of Zambia accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your Section office, if sending appeals after 5 May 1996.